Let’s talk about suicide, and construction.
Mental health issues in construction and among trade workers is a severe concern. According to the Center for Construction Research and Training’s Assessment of Construction Workers’ Mental Health to Improve Wellbeing, released earlier this year and funded by a grant from the US National Institute for Occupational Safety, construction continues to suffer one of the highest suicide rates of any industry in the United States.
- Trade workers in construction are more likely than most workers to have long and irregular hours and endure extensive, long-term work-related travel. These stressors may lead to various mental health issues, such as substance misuse, smoking, binge drinking, and lack of downtime.
- Roofers, painters, construction laborers, carpenters, and concrete finishers are the five trades most vulnerable to binge drinking; steelworkers, masons, and roofers have the highest suicide rates in the construction industry.
- Opioid addiction is also a significant problem in the industry, with trades that do heavy physical labor, including bricklayers, carpenters, and laborers, being particularly susceptible. Substance misuse among these trades can lead to addiction to prescription and non-prescription drugs such as fentanyl, oxycodone, morphine, and heroin.
- Mental health issues could result in suicide.
Suicide rates among male construction workers are 75% higher than men in the general population, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
Construction workers are six times more likely to die by suicide than by construction work-related injuries. Taking inventory of construction workers’ mental health is the duty of all who lead the construction industry forward.
How can the construction industry make a difference?
- Build a caring culture that promotes “psychological safety” by showing concern and empathy for workers and their families and reinforces a respectful workplace culture, free from harassment, discrimination, bullying or inappropriate teasing, and harsh judgment of peers.
- Clearly communicate that workers will not be subject to negative job consequences solely for seeking help when it’s needed. In fact, seeking help should be encouraged for the well-being of workers and to ensure they can meet expectations on safety, productivity, engagement, and performance.
- Consider the potential impact of serving alcohol at company events, as it can be challenging for individuals in recovery. Offering a variety of non-alcoholic options and creating a supportive atmosphere can help ensure all employees feel included, especially those managing stress or mental health concerns.
- Consider creating a mentorship or peer support initiative. This can be challenging for projects with tight timelines and budgets, but it can also prove helpful in retaining top talent and building a stronger sense of community.
- Take the STAND-UP PLEDGE for the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention: preventconstructionsuicide.com.
Construction industry leaders have a responsibility to intentionally focus on physical safety, but also on psychological safety to create safer, healthier, and more productive workplaces – to protect and support our workers, communities and one another. To learn more about Construction Suicide Prevention Week and ways you can make a difference, visit constructionsuicideprevention.com.